Finally told my parents I'm going to Catholic Mass

[bben15]

My parents are sola scriptura Protestants of the evangelical persuasion.

Today, I told them I’ve been attending Catholic Mass since July and that I believe the Catholic Church is the Church established by Christ Himself.

In response, I was told:

• The Catholic Church started off right but is now heretical.
• Mary is worshipped.
• The Catholic Church changed the Ten Commandments.
• The Catholic Church added books to the Bible.
• The Pope claims to be Christ’s representative.
• Nothing outside of Scripture should be believed. (Good thing I didn’t mention private revelations.)
• That the Real Presence of the Eucharist is just a matter of faith, so whether or not they believed that in the beginning is not relevant.
• God gave us freedom after resurrection of Christ, so no need to “nitpick” on details.
• All you need to do is belief in Jesus to be saved, so why am I complicating things?
• And finally, that I’m disturbing the peace of the family by not following the church that I grew up with and that I’m causing my mother grief.
• (Plus other things I can’t remember at the moment…they brought up the 15-7th century corruption of the Church (e.g., indulgences) and the Inquisition and killing of heretics…which I stated that impeccability is not infallibility as guided by the Holy Spirit)

I tried my best to counter all the arguments, as I’ve heard most of these before, but they don’t seem to listen (or want to listen). They are convinced they are right. They asked me why I decided to convert and told them I felt led by the Holy Spirit after reading written accounts and inspired writings. They balked that the Holy Spirit would cause disturbance within the family.

They forbade me from going to Church/Mass. (I don’t live with them — only visiting for the week, so in practice, they can’t really forbid me.)

On the one hand, I have to follow what I believe to be the Church established by Christ. On the other hand, my parents are getting old and not of the best health — I feel bad causing grief and pain. They seem to take this very personally. I was close to telling them I have to follow Jesus even at the expense of parents (per Jesus’ commandment), but I refrained as I thought they would break out in tears and be broken.

Please pray for me that I remain constant in my faith and that one day, they may open their eyes and accept the faith of the Church. I tried to explain to them that I find fuller richness of truth in the Catholic Church from the unbroken 2000 year lineage. But then we’re back to the “They were right in the beginning, but they are corrupt and heretical now” spiel.

I envy you cradle Catholics born into the faith…

God bless you! I am also undergoing persecution from my parents for the One, True Faith. I will pray for you and for the conversion of your parents.

 

[Peter_J]

I had been mulling over for several days about what it means to follow Christ in this particular case.

I agreed to attend my former church, but I’m still going to Catholic Mass (the latter part my parents don’t know about — I just simply agreed to attend the previous church, not to abandon Mass.)

There will be no partaking of communion in either case (although I really can’t get excommunicated from the Church I never joined in the first place), as it seems right to acknowledge that there is true Sacrament and one that is a shadow of it.

I pray for their conversion, but they are really, really, really stubborn. God help them.

Previously, I mentioned talking to a Protestant pastor. It was his belief that all Christian traditions are valid (except for the “obvious” heretical churches) and that no tradition is the truth and more right than another. Personally, I think one tradition has to be at least closer to the fullness of truth than another…otherwise, everything is just relative. Of course, in terms of salvation, we cannot delineate God’s mercy and judgment.

He stated that the Roman Catholic Church, as it is now, formed really during the 12th century and that the Marian dogmas are problematic in his point of view, and that Scott Hahn doesn’t really attempt to defend them but only acknowledges that they are teachings of the Church.

What drew me to the Catholic Church was not theology. It had always been how to live a life closer to what God desires of all humanity, because in the end, our limited knowledge will not save us.

Maybe circumstances will change later, and I’ll just take the plunge to join officially, but as of now, things are a bit more complicated. My fear is that I’ll die before absolution of my sins or partaking of the Eucharist that gives life. At this point, I can only pray and hope for God’s mercy.

Hi EIF. Sounds like things have been going a little more smoothly lately.

I’m thinking that (possibly) you should challenge your parents as to whether they regard any churches, besides their own, as legitimate. And if they say “Yes, such-and-such church is too” then you might ask them whether they would ever attend that other church in place of their church.

 

[Jon_S_1]

I think he subscribes to some variation of sola scriptura, so whatever is not explicitly or implicitly recorded in Scripture is a doctrinal innovation (e.g., Immaculate Conception of Mary). He claims Scripture says brothers/sisters because there’s a separate word for cousin/relative that could have been used but wasn’t.

That’s false. There is no separate word in Aramaic, the language Christ spoke.

Also his idea of “whatever is not explicitly or implicitly recorded in scripture is a doctrinal innovation” is in itself a doctrinal innovation.

 

[Pluviophile]

I just wanted to drop by and say that you’re in my prayers! It sounds like you are going through a very difficult time right now, and I am so sorry for that. God bless you!

 

[Pluviophile]

If your parents are typical baptist/evangelical types…

Sit down with your mom, look her in the eye and tell her that you have asked Jesus into your heart to be your Lord and Savior, that you believe he died on the cross for your sins, that he is God, and that all you do is in pursuit of him. Tell her the Catholic Faith is the way you have found to truly put your Faith in action and live for Christ.

Thank her for the Christian upbringing they sent you out on and let her know this is not a change of path, but a continuation of the path they helped lay for you by giving you a heart for Christ.

Set all the apologetics aside, and have a heart to heart like this to ease her soul.

She should have no complaints if you assure her this is where your heart lies.

Don’t let them derail you into worshiping Mary type of questions. Tell her this conversation is purely about sharing my heart for Christ with you and rejoicing in our essential core beliefs that we hold in common.

What else could a good evangelical ask for ?

 

[zz912]

I refuted every single point they brought up, but they just keep repeating them. Hello? Are you even listening?

You are dealing with the “Powdered Butt” syndrome. Once you have powdered someone’s butt (i.e. changed their diaper as a baby), you will never want their opinion on sex, religion, politics, or money.

Just be patient with them, and show your Catholic faith by being gentle, serving them as best you can, and loving them. If they have questions, answer them, but remember to ask questions as well, to make them defend their positions as well. Ask lots of questions. (Like asking them how they know the Bible is God’s word, or what is the pillar and foundation of the truth?)

I would also suggest picking up the Catechism (they are relatively inexpensive). When they toss out a claim like worshipping Mary, open up the CCC and show them where it explicitly forbids worship to her or anyone/anything other than God alone. I would also chat with them about arguing against what Catholics ACTUALLY believe, not what they THINK we believe. If they disagree with Catholic teaching, that is one thing, but it is patently unfair to ascribe beliefs to Catholics that we do not hold.

Good luck and God bless!

 

[EIF5A]

I’m thinking that (possibly) you should challenge your parents as to whether they regard any churches, besides their own, as legitimate. And if they say “Yes, such-and-such church is too” then you might ask them whether they would ever attend that other church in place of their church.

The issue is (at least with my mother, my dad thinks Catholics are all heretics) that they believe all major Christian traditions lead to salvation. I personally think God in His infinite mercy can save those outside of the Catholic Church. So, in the view of evangelical Christians for whom salvation is all that matters, since all major Christian traditions lead to salvation, joining another church is like abandoning family because in terms of faith, they’re all the same in the end.

It honestly seems more like a family issue than faith issue, per se. If my mother weren’t prone to being so very, very emotional to the point of harming physical health, I would say, “Sayonara, I’m getting on S.S. Peter.” At this point, it seems best to continue reading and learning about the Catholic faith and going to Mass while agreeing to physically attend the other church.

Outside of divine intervention, they would never attend a Catholic Church.

Why would he suggest a belated formation of Roman Catholicism if all traditions are equally true (or untrue)? It sounds as though he was trying to reduce your perception of the Church’s reliability by putting a late date on it; wouldn’t that make his church even less reliable, since it came even later? What Christian tradition would he accept as dating all the way back to the first century, if he believes that Catholicism does not? And if such a tradition exists, how could it not be “more true” than a Christian tradition that formed within the past few centuries?

That’s false. There is no separate word in Aramaic, the language Christ spoke.

Also his idea of “whatever is not explicitly or implicitly recorded in scripture is a doctrinal innovation” is in itself a doctrinal innovation.

I have no idea. He’s a trained theologian, so I did not want to get into a debate with my feeble knowledge…

God bless you! I am also undergoing persecution from my parents for the One, True Faith. I will pray for you and for the conversion of your parents.

Parents – can’t live with 'em, can’t live without 'em.

Just be patient with them, and show your Catholic faith by being gentle, serving them as best you can, and loving them. If they have questions, answer them, but remember to ask questions as well, to make them defend their positions as well. Ask lots of questions. (Like asking them how they know the Bible is God’s word, or what is the pillar and foundation of the truth?)

The tricky part is they see no reason why I should convert if we all believe in the same Trinity and redemption by God who became man and died for our sins. They’re the “Just believe in Jesus and be saved” type. Through my short accidental investigation of the Catholic faith, I found it is more than that. Of course, Jesus is the only Way to God, but God desires more than just believing in Christ our salvation. That’s just selfishness for escaping punishment. We have to hope to desire to do the will of God (which is hard to discern often) and flee from sin because God is good and hates sin, not because we’re being redeemed from damnation (which we are…but that should be secondary).

They asked me if I think their faith is wrong. I said they’re mistaken. They cannot guilt-trip my conscience to deny what I have found and accepted to be true.

I told them I felt the Holy Spirit was leading me to Catholicism. They clearly disagree and think I’m being deluded or something.

In boils down to thinking: if I become Catholic, the family will break apart because of lack of unity of faith. I don’t think they ever considered the burden of my conscience…just that I’m causing grief to my parents.

They’re paranoid. I doubt that sentiment comes from God…I don’t think.

Is there a saint I can pray to for conversion from Protestantism (specifically)?

 

[MJCamp]

Luke 12: 51- 57

51 'Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.

52 For from now on, a household of five will be divided: three against two and two against three;

53 father opposed to son, son to father, mother to daughter, daughter to mother, mother-in-law to daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law to mother-in-law.’

54 He said again to the crowds, 'When you see a cloud looming up in the west you say at once that rain is coming, and so it does.

55 And when the wind is from the south you say it’s going to be hot, and it is.

56 Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the face of the earth and the sky. How is it you do not know how to interpret these times?

57 'Why not judge for yourselves what is upright?

 

[Porknpie]

The issue is (at least with my mother, my dad thinks Catholics are all heretics) that they believe all major Christian traditions lead to salvation. I personally think God in His infinite mercy can save those outside of the Catholic Church. So, in the view of evangelical Christians for whom salvation is all that matters, since all major Christian traditions lead to salvation, joining another church is like abandoning family because in terms of faith, they’re all the same in the end.

It honestly seems more like a family issue than faith issue, per se. If my mother weren’t prone to being so very, very emotional to the point of harming physical health, I would say, “Sayonara, I’m getting on S.S. Peter.” At this point, it seems best to continue reading and learning about the Catholic faith and going to Mass while agreeing to physically attend the other church.

Outside of divine intervention, they would never attend a Catholic Church.

I have no idea. He’s a trained theologian, so I did not want to get into a debate with my feeble knowledge…

Parents – can’t live with 'em, can’t live without 'em. :blush:a

The tricky part is they see no reason why I should convert if we all believe in the same Trinity and redemption by God who became man and died for our sins. They’re the “Just believe in Jesus and be saved” type. Through my short accidental investigation of the Catholic faith, I found it is more than that. Of course, Jesus is the only Way to God, but God desires more than just believing in Christ our salvation. That’s just selfishness for escaping punishment. We have to hope to desire to do the will of God (which is hard to discern often) and flee from sin because God is good and hates sin, not because we’re being redeemed from damnation (which we are…but that should be secondary).

They asked me if I think their faith is wrong. I said they’re mistaken. They cannot guilt-trip my conscience to deny what I have found and accepted to be true.

I told them I felt the Holy Spirit was leading me to Catholicism. They clearly disagree and think I’m being deluded or something.

In boils down to thinking: if I become Catholic, the family will break apart because of lack of unity of faith. I don’t think they ever considered the burden of my conscience…just that I’m causing grief to my parents.

They’re paranoid. I doubt that sentiment comes from God…I don’t think.

Is there a saint I can pray to for conversion from Protestantism (specifically)?

Just curious, have they ever attended a Catholic Mass?

PnP

 

[EIF5A]

Just curious, have they ever attended a Catholic Mass?

PnP

I don’t think so…never really asked. Just assumed they haven’t since they never said they did.

To them, all that matters is salvation…which seems to me they have a bare-bones idea of salvation of just escaping hell.

How do I explain to them the fuller richness of the Catholic faith?

St. Monica seems to be the saint to pray to, although they are technically still Christians.

 

[Bryan_Greenlee]

First off welcome home and God bless your courage,second the Catholic is indeed the one and only Church established by Christ ,therefore is the True Church.We do not worship anyone other than God just like any other Christian,also the Bible that protestants use and claim is their "sole"rule of faith is really a set of Catholic books that was intended for the Catholic Church.Also their is no church that gets all of their doctrines or theology from Scripture alone,the difference between us as Catholics and them as Protestants is are extrabiblical tradition is in harmony with Scripture or is supported by Scripture either by obscure verses or at least given by hints in Scripture.Protestants on the other hand has many extrabiblical traditions that are not in harmony or are outright rejected by Scripture,whether they want to admit it or not.The Catholic faith is so logical ,where the various protestant faiths and traditions are illogical and in many ways contradicts themselfs.In short the Catholic faith is support by all the early church fathers and early Christian writings.,the early Christians were Catholic to the fullest extant of the word.There are a lot of good Christians out there who not Catholic ,but they do not possess the fullness of the Christian faith.

 

[ahs]

I don’t think so…never really asked. Just assumed they haven’t since they never said they did.

To them, all that matters is salvation…which seems to me they have a bare-bones idea of salvation of just escaping hell.

How do I explain to them the fuller richness of the Catholic faith?

St. Monica seems to be the saint to pray to, although they are technically still Christians.

Try St. Paul.

 

[Judas_Thaddeus]

Hallelujah!
Heaven celebrates your Faith!

I’m sorry about the strife between you and your parents, but
Christ did say that he came not to bring peace, but a sword.

Fortunately you wield a great sword, the Sword of Faith!

Now I’m not sure how Catholic savvy this following video is, but I do kinda recommend it for your parents,
check it out first, see what you think, and see also what other Catholics here think of it. I like it, very in-
sightful, but again take it with Wisdom:youtube.com/watch?v=q05j_ClA9gU

 

[Peter_J]

The tricky part is they see no reason why I should convert if we all believe in the same Trinity and redemption by God who became man and died for our sins. They’re the “Just believe in Jesus and be saved” type. Through my short accidental investigation of the Catholic faith, I found it is more than that. Of course, Jesus is the only Way to God, but God desires more than just believing in Christ our salvation. That’s just selfishness for escaping punishment. We have to hope to desire to do the will of God (which is hard to discern often) and flee from sin because God is good and hates sin, not because we’re being redeemed from damnation (which we are…but that should be secondary).

They asked me if I think their faith is wrong. I said they’re mistaken. They cannot guilt-trip my conscience to deny what I have found and accepted to be true.

I told them I felt the Holy Spirit was leading me to Catholicism. They clearly disagree and think I’m being deluded or something.

Have you asked them (or do you know without asking) whether they know anyone who used to be Catholic but converted to Protestantism?

 

[EIF5A]

Try St. Paul.

Hmm…the parish I go to is dedicated to him…why did I not think of him???

 

[EIF5A]

Have you asked them (or do you know without asking) whether they know anyone who used to be Catholic but converted to Protestantism?

My grandmother was Catholic but allegedly denied the Church and became Protestant before death. I cannot verify that she did. Hope she didn’t.

 

[Peter_J]

My grandmother was Catholic but allegedly denied the Church and became Protestant before death. I cannot verify that she did. Hope she didn’t.

I wonder if you should tell your mother that; it might show her that you aren’t as different from her as she thinks. (Or maybe you shouldn’t – that was more thinking out loud than actual advice.)

 

[EIF5A]

I wonder if you should tell your mother that; it might show her that you aren’t as different from her as she thinks. (Or maybe you shouldn’t – that was more thinking out loud than actual advice.)

I pray that she is at least in purgatory. I try to pray for her during Mass, although I don’t know if it’s of any effect.

Perhaps I can use this time to have a greater desire for repentance and penance before joining the Church. I have committed many, many grave sins and attachments to evil things.

Penances, however trivial and insignificant, done before becoming Catholic still count for something, right?

 

[JRKH]

I don’t think so…never really asked. Just assumed they haven’t since they never said they did.

To them, all that matters is salvation…which seems to me they have a bare-bones idea of salvation of just escaping hell.

How do I explain to them the fuller richness of the Catholic faith?

St. Monica seems to be the saint to pray to, although they are technically still Christians.

While you can explain various differences and perhaps correct certain misconceptions - and even share some of the great devotions and wisdom of various holy people (saints) down through the centuries…You will never be able to explain the fuller richness of the Catholic faith to them.
The only way that they will be able to come to understand this is through your example.

If I am reading you right, at present, you are not so much interested in converting them as you are in having them except your decision and to be happy for you. In this I think that the protestant pastor you referenced might actually be of help.

In post #58 you mentioned speaking with a protestant pastor and he said it was his opinion that all denominations are equally valid - with certain obvious exceptions.
Now - I don’t know if he considers the RC to be one of those obvious exceptions - but if he does not then you might be able to use this to your advantage.

Your mother wanted you to talk to this man…Now this man has said that one tradition is just as good as another - that all contain some truth and some error. Obviously as Catholics we disagree with this view, however - this is what the pastor that your mother sent you to said.
Now - ask this man to tell your mother this same thing. That all traditions are equal…that all contain both truth and error…and so by that logic…your decision to be Catholic is just as valid as her decision to be evangelical.
Perhaps hearing this from her own pastor will help to calm her some…
After all - it was at her request that you talked to him…Is she prepared to abide by the outcome of that?

As for the other issues where we disagree with this pastor, do not become distracted by them. The important thing at present is whether or not he can help you to soothe and calm your mother’s fears.

Then it is just up to you to show your mother that you continue to Love God with all your heart.

Just a thought.

Peace
James

 

[Peter_J]

Perhaps I can use this time to have a greater desire for repentance and penance before joining the Church. I have committed many, many grave sins and attachments to evil things.

Penances, however trivial and insignificant, done before becoming Catholic still count for something, right?

I’m slightly surprised that you even ask, but regardless I’ll answer Yes.

In fact (as discussed on another recent thread) “converting” from Protestant to Catholic, or Catholic to Orthodox, etc. is technically not converting. Converting would be becoming Christian for the first time.